LBW Outside Leg Stump: Why You Cannot Be Out LBW to a Ball Pitching Outside Leg
One of the most important LBW rules that confuses casual fans: a batsman CANNOT be given out LBW if the ball pitches (bounces) outside the leg stump, even if the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. This rule exists because a batsman using their pads to play deliveries that turn from outside the leg stump is considered legitimate defensive play. The rule creates specific tactical implications for leg-spin bowling vs pad play.
The LBW pitch-outside-leg rule: Law 36 of the MCC Laws of Cricket states that a batsman can only be given out LBW if the ball pitches in line with the stumps OR outside the off stump. If the ball pitches (first bounces) outside the leg stump, the batsman cannot be out LBW — regardless of whether the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. This is a complete exemption: even if the ball swings dramatically from outside leg to hit all three stumps, the LBW decision must be 'not out' if it first pitched outside leg stump.
Why the Rule Exists
The rationale for the pitch-outside-leg exemption: the rule is designed to allow batsmen to use their pads to play deliveries that come from outside the leg stump without risk of LBW. The reasoning: a delivery pitching outside the leg stump is bowled on the leg side of the batsman, where the bat is less likely to be the primary intercepting surface. Forcing batsmen to use their bat against all deliveries from outside leg would create an impossible defensive task against leg-spinners, left-arm orthodox spinners, and left-arm seamers — all of whom naturally target deliveries going from outside leg stump toward the stumps. The rule specifically protects batsmen against using leg-stump pad play as the entire basis of their innings (but it allows it within reason).
DRS and Outside Leg
DRS and the pitch-outside-leg rule: in DRS reviews, the ball-tracking technology (Hawk-Eye) assesses three criteria for LBW: (1) whether the ball hit the pad in line with the stumps; (2) whether the ball pitched in line with the stumps or outside off; (3) whether ball-tracking predicts the ball would hit the stumps. Even if criteria 1 and 3 are met (the ball hit the pad in line and would have hit the stumps), if criterion 2 shows the ball pitched outside leg stump, the decision must be 'not out'. DRS has revealed several cases where an umpire incorrectly gave a batsman out LBW on a ball that Hawk-Eye showed pitched outside leg — the batsman's review overturned the decision.
Common Misunderstandings
Common LBW outside-leg misunderstandings: (1) 'The ball hit the pads in front of leg stump — why is it not out?' — the impact location alone is not sufficient; the pitch location matters too. A ball can hit the batsman's pads exactly in front of the stumps but if it pitched outside leg stump, it is not out. (2) 'The ball would have hit leg stump — why not out?' — again, even if ball-tracking shows the ball would hit leg stump, the pitch outside leg prevents the LBW decision. (3) Left-arm bowlers around the wicket: left-arm bowlers bowling around the wicket to right-handers send the ball from outside the leg stump — meaning many of their naturally angled deliveries pitch outside leg and therefore cannot produce an LBW, even if the angle brings the ball back into the stumps.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be out LBW if the ball pitches outside leg stump?
No — you cannot be given out LBW in cricket if the ball pitches (first bounces) outside the leg stump. This is one of the three main conditions for an LBW decision: (1) the ball must not pitch outside the leg stump; (2) the ball must hit the batsman's pad in line with the stumps; (3) the ball must be predicted (or judged by the umpire) to go on to hit the stumps. If condition 1 is violated — if the ball pitches outside leg stump — the batsman is automatically not out LBW, regardless of whether the other two conditions are met. This rule applies whether the decision is made by the on-field umpire or reviewed via DRS's Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology.
Why does the pitch-outside-leg LBW rule exist?
The LBW pitch-outside-leg rule exists to allow batsmen to use their pads to defend deliveries that originate from the leg side without being at constant risk of LBW dismissal. Without the rule, batsmen would have to play every delivery from outside leg stump with their bat — including leg-breaks, left-arm around-the-wicket deliveries, and other deliveries naturally angled from the leg side. The rule recognises that a delivery pitching outside the leg stump is bowled in a position where a 'natural' defensive shot might involve the pad intercepting the ball rather than the bat, and that this is a legitimate form of play. It also prevents bowlers from taking LBW wickets purely by bowling at the batsman's legs from wide angles.
How does Hawk-Eye determine if a ball pitched outside leg stump?
Hawk-Eye determines pitch location using multiple camera angles to reconstruct the ball's trajectory in 3D space. The system uses high-speed cameras positioned around the ground to track the ball frame-by-frame, then mathematically reconstructs the point at which the ball first makes contact with the pitch surface. This pitch point is compared to the leg stump's position (which is surveyed at the start of the match). If the reconstructed pitch point is to the left of the leg stump's outside edge (for a right-handed batsman), Hawk-Eye reports the ball as pitched outside leg stump — automatically excluding LBW. The system is accurate to within approximately 2mm for pitch location, making it highly reliable for this determination.